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Phinsider Radio show notes forMay 19, 2021.
With the sixth pick in the 2021 NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins selected Jaylen Waddle, receiver from Alabama.
What is Waddle’s skill set?
- Speed
- Route-running
- The ability to maintain speed and control while running different routes
- Not a Mike Wallace with straight-line speed.
- “Separation”
- YAC
- Absorbing contact, saw him take a smack in the helmet on a kick return (kind of where Jakeem got clobbered twice against Cinci) and just walk it off and into the end zone.
- Defenses are doomed if he is hit in stride in one-on-one coverage.
NEW @thephinsider radio @jmendel94 & I take a closer look at WR jaylen waddle, his jaw-dropping numbers in college, how he fits in miami’s offense, his nickname the destroyer of angles, the other 12 WRs, & more!
— josh houtz (@houtz) May 19, 2021
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Why did Miami pick him?
- If Jakeem Grant played at a higher level, I am not saying elite, but made plays and didn’t drop balls, would Waddle still have been the pick?
- The best possible upgrade for a receiving core that needs to create separation.
- “I think he requires two players to cover him. When you can add that type of player and that player can move around within an offense, that causes defenses a lot of problems, and he does that because of his speed, his quickness, his explosiveness. - Flores on Waddle recently.
On today's episode of @thephinsider radio we dub Jaylen Waddle the destroyer of angles.
— Jake (@JMendel94) May 19, 2021
CC: @houtz https://t.co/JPBxRra8B8
DeVonte Smith vs. Jaylen Waddle
- Both played in Weeks 1-4 before Waddle suffered an ankle injury.
- Didn’t play until the College Football Playoff National Championship game.
- “Had to be out there with my team,” he said.
Games 1-4
Yards; Touchdowns; Yards per route; Receiver rating.
Smith 483; 4; 3.63; 129.
Waddle 557; 4; 4.68; 158.
Where does he fit inside of Miami’s offense?
From 2020 receiver show for some perspective:
Question 1: Is wide receiver a weakness or strength for the Dolphins
- It wasn’t a “need” in the 2020 NFL draft so I wouldn’t label it a weakness, but this group could look pretty different in just one year.